2.

Artos Snow was sitting at his desk contemplating on how to tell Ned. What he had to tell Ned was regarding the so called 'Rickard Stark's southern ambitions'. He had seen him yesterday hugging openly crying Benjen during the funeral. Not for the first time he had cursed himself for living, cursed his lame leg that makes him unable to ride. He should have been with Rickard. He should have been at least with Ned fighting besides him and taking revenge for Rickard. He had not drunk much at feast and was thankful now. There was a knock on the door, he called them in. A servant came in with his food. He thanked the servant and started breaking his fast.

Benjen arrived just as he was about to finish. He had determined look on his face and he knew the argument that was waiting to happen. He decided to cut through, "Ned and I are meeting shortly. You should be there and after meeting you can ask him. " Benjen did not look satisfied. So he told the lad to collect the books and parchments and to follow him to lords solar.

Ned was already inside with his lady wife and maester going over books and messages the ravens had delivered. Upon seeing Artos and Benjen enter, he closed the books. "You wanted to talk uncle." "Yes Ned" he replied taking the offered sit opposite to Ned. He indicated Benjen to deposit the material he was carrying on the table. The master had begun walking out of solar; he closed the doors while leaving. Artos looked at the table waiting for Ned to look from the various parchments.

Ned indicated Artos to begin. Lady Stark and Benjen looked intently as he started, "These particular books have words written by previous Starks mainly Lord Cregan Stark, the Old Man of the North and my namesake Artos Stark. They contain their observations and opinions regarding various things like the wall, wildings, ironborns, nightswatch, the north, the south, the Targarayans, etc. Cregan Stark writes about the Dance of Dragons, his explanations of his actions, winter and like. Artos Stark writes about wildings, nightwatch. There are also some quotes and suggestions from other Starks regarding these. Artos Stark originally found the book written in Cregan Starks hand in the library. He made further collection of such things that he thought Lords of Winterfell should know and presented it to his nephew while suggesting him to pass on them to future lords. "

Artos continued, "While I suggest you to read them, I will tell you what I can and how it influenced Rickard's decisions. If you have read regarding Dance of Dragons then you know of Pact of Ice and Fire, Rodrick Dustin and winter wolves under his command. What Cregan further writes are his difficulties in assembling the northern army in middle of winter, leading it south and the time that had taken? When he had reached Kings Landing the war was over and the negotiations for peace had already begun. Cregan was angry. You might be aware of the events of him being a hand for a day and his return to north. His army had come looking for battles and its glory. There was nothing for them in the northern winter and so many had stayed behind. Though, King Aegon III Targaryen, granted him many rewards, his opinions were not heard neither was the Pact of Ice and Fire hurt Cregan a lot. A lord unable to take care of his people. A lord insulted by his peers and king. He was unable to do anything. A lord from the oldest ruling family, a family that had been the Kings of Winter and rules for 8000 years. Upon his return he started planning. He wanted north to return to its former glory. He planned for better northern roads and a fleet in the west. He mentioned whereas ideas for funding such plans. But the winter reigned long and upon his death his plans were left alone.

Artos Stark had found the book written or perhaps the master at that time did. So he collected the similar materials. His brother, the Lord of Winterfell was killed in battle at Long Lake against wildings. Artos, the Implacable, took his sword and killed Raymund Redbeard. He and Lord Umber dealt with the wildings. The Watch arrived late and hence his dislike for them. Artos Stark in the aftermath of attack studied the wildings, their way of life and the reasons for their raids. He wrote about the sorry state of Nightsewatch and ways to bring the wildings to kneel. "

Benjen who knew about this particular history lesson continued, "But what has it to do with fathers plans?"

"It is common knowledge that the south does not like us, they think of us as savages and barbarians. Take Ned for example, Ned and Lord Reed survived Hightower, Whent and Arthur Dayne. If it had been any southern knight there would be songs about them. But in this case it was a Stark and a frog-eating crannogman. Cregan wrote the same. They still talk about the Kingmaker Carsten Cole. But what about Rodrick Dustin. He killed the Kingmaker. He killed both Hightowers that led the army at Bitterbridge leaving it leaderless. Cregan talks about the due respect that was not given and reasons behind. He used the words 'the north just thinks about surviving the winter and not prospering through it.' Your father agreed with him on this. Even Edwyle did. His plan was war and trading fleets on both sides of north, better realtions with south namely Riverlands and better roads through north."

"As Lady Catelyn surely knows, Riverlands always bleed during the wars. Riverlands have better history with north. It also has food that can be traded with north. Hence the marriage between Starks and Tullys. Ned was sent to Eyre for better future relations. The betrothal between Robert and Lyanna was a happy outcome."

"But alas things hardly happen as planned. You father had told me to encourage and guide Brandon to see his dreams fulfilled. Now I hope to do with you the same."

Ned still thinking on what was said, asked, "What of the alliance that overthrew the Targaryens?"

"Your father never actively saw to overthrew them. May be others did but not him. His sole aim was to make north a better place. Of course, if Rhaegar Targaryen had replaced the Mad King with their help, your father would have asked about trading concessions of him and some such similar things. Though there was talk of dividing the north, it was one of the mad schemes of mad king. It was never going to be easy to implement. "

"Ned, what you must realize is that now, more than ever, your fathers plans must progress fast. Ironborn did not taken active part in rebellion apart from some raids along the Mander, in which Quellon Greyjoy died. Balon will be the new Lord of Iron Islands. Ironborn have always raided our western shores and Bear Island. Now dragons are gone, they will try again, this time harder. They have their strength intact. They may not attack us but they will attack. Same is with wildings. Artos Stark mentions this in detail. The Iornborn and wildings have attacked the North every few years for different reasons. The Ironborn want to bring back the Oldways. The Frefolk as wildings like to call themselves attact the wall and North for better opportunities. The Freefolk have always attacked under the so called King-beyond-the-wall, towards the end of relatively long summers. Artos proves this with the many details of the wilding attack. The Nightswatch needs to be better prepared as you know there has been a quiet time since there last attack."

Benjen took the talk of nightswatch and the quiet that followed as opportunity to speak," Starks have always manned the wall. If what Uncle Artos speaks is true, then it is essential for a Stark to be there. Ned, I have thought this through and I want to join Nightswatch." This startled everybody but Artos. He had spoken with Benjen more than once on this subject.

Ned had a pained look on his face, "Are you sure?"Benjen nodded refusing to explain further. Ned wanted to refuse him. But then he realized it was Benjen's choice. Lya was not given a choice; Brandon was to not given a choice. Father had made decisions for them and fate had made them for him. Ned deciding not to do the same for Benjen,"If you are sure then I will not refuse you."

Artos knew Ned would agree. But he had to stop this, "Ned, tell me how many Starks are there?"

Ned was surprised upon hearing such question but chose not to say anything as he was not aware the direction the question was taking. So Artos further elaborated, "Let me tell you there are three. When Benjen joins Nightswatch then it will be you and your heir Robb. You are strong and capable but if you die" He was interrupted by a gasp from silent Catelyn. "My apologies, Lady Catelyn. A bad thing to say but you know, you were betrothed to Brandon and now you are sitting with Lord Ned as your husband. Rickard Stark was saved once by me. We must be prepared for bad things can happen to best of us. Winter is coming. As I was saying, if Ned dies, then all that left of Starks will be a year old heir with southern mother, a near cripple bastard who can die anytime or can be easily killed and a year old bastard with unknown mother."

"Ned, I understand you don't want to interfere with Benjen's choice. But do not allow him to join Nightswatch immediately." Everyone noticed Artos putting stress on 'immediately'. Artos began to elaborate further but was cut by Caitlyn," Though I hate to imagine it, uncle Artos is correct Lord Eddard." Artos noticed the 'uncle Artos' and 'lord Eddard'. She was angry with Ned probably because the bastard. "Benjen, though you are ten and five namedays old, you are not old enough. There is lot to life than taking the Black. But if you still want to join the wait for few more years. You have heard uncle Artos, if these plans are to be fulfilled then you will be required here. "

Benjen looked like was rethinking things through. But then a guilty and pained expression settled on his face," I still want to join the Nightswatch. I have made up my mind. " Artos had enough of this. He knew Benjen well infact he knew his sisters kids very well. He knew Benjen felt guilty about something but was not sure about what." Benjen, Ned will need you here. We have lost too much too soon. Your being here will help us. I know you feel guilty and responsible for something. Please speak to us. Let us help you."

Benjen looked ready to cry," I knew, I knew."

Ned startled by this asked" Knew what?"

"About Lyanna and Rheagar. I should have talked sooner. By the time I made up my mind, father and Brandon were dead and Ned was leading army."

The rest of us waiting for Benjen to elaborate further which he did after regaining his voice,"Lyanna was the Knight of Laughing Tree at the tourney of Harrenhall. Rhaegar found out it was her, but didn't tell Mad King about it. Lya said that Rhaegar was very impressed by her which is why he crowned her Queen of Love and Beauty. I know both of them were in contact after that but Lya never told me any details. She was not happy with her pending marriage with King Robert. I don't have any proof but I think she went willingly with Rhaegar. The news of her abduction and Brandon's imprisionment reached us with very short intervals between them. I had thought to tell father but then he informed me that Brandon was imprisoned and he was going south to see him free. I was so scared that I could not bring myself to speak to him or uncle Artos."

Artos understood the guilt Benjen was carrying and decided to mention what he knew regarding that matter." Benjen, your father and I both suspected the same it was because we did not find any trace of her. There wasn't anything out of ordinary. We had looked for her in North and Riverlands. Knowing her, if she had been taken against her wishes, we would have found something; a trail of bodies if nothing else. But when Brandon got arrested, your father knew he had to get to him first. But we did not anticipate the Mad King killing warden of north and his heir. None of you should forget that blame lies at feet of Mad King."

"But perhaps Ned, you should tell us more about it. What happened at Tower of Joy? Did you speak with Lyanna? Did she tell you anything?"

Ned had been receiving shocks one after another. He had talked to Lya but he had promised himself not to disclose the details to anyone. He was not going to but then he remembered what had been said earlier. He knew what he knew was going to affect them all. Knowing uncle Artos, he was sure Artos had been suspecting something and was surely going to corner him. Ned also knew uncle Artos was the only father figure to look for advice. So, he decided to talk.

Ned started talking after what seemed like a long time," We met three kingsguard upon reaching tower of joy. They didn't allow us entry. There were shouts and cries of women in the tower. We drew swords. I still don't clearly remember the fight. I remember killing Hightower but Dayne was getting better of me. Howland arrived to help me. Arthur dodged the net thrown by him, but he got Arthur with his spear. Though Spear wound was nothing serious it gave me opening for decisive strike. After killing him, I ran up the tower towards sound of crying. I still remember seeing Lya, pale and lying on a bloodied bed. "

"She kept saying how sorry she was. How sorry she was for father and Brandon. How sorry she was for running away with Rhaegar. The wetnurse came from corner with babe in her arms. Lya took it in her arms and introduced me to it as Uncle Ned. With dying breath she made me promise to protect him. I could never deny her. None of us could ever deny her anything. After she died, Howland and I decided to move on. We collected her things. I went through her things. I saw letters confessing love for each other. She went with him willingly. But things between them must have turned sour when Hightower arrived with news from Kings Landing and summons from Mad King. Rhaegar showed up before the battle of Trident. Which means by the time he left Tower of Joy, Lya was pregnant for sure. "

Artos listened with heavy heart. Everyone knew Lya was loved by all in the Winterfell. She had reminded Artos of his late sister and Rickard of his late wife. No one had the heart to discipline here. She had been always like wild stallion, untamable. It was hard for him to imagine a Lya on deathbed. His thoughts settled on her baby. Then he realized something," Jon?"

Cat had reached the same conclusion and was waiting for Ned to confirm. She was glad that there was no stark bastard to worry about but Targaryen bastard created their own problems. Ned did confirm it," Yes, I named him Jon and intend to raise him as my own bastard. It will be safer if world thought same. "

Artos spoke," Well then raise him as your own. But you know his parentage can bring problems for Starks and the North. We will have to prepare for such eventuality. Benjen after hearing this we must for us to stick together. A lone wolf dies but a Pack survives." Artos decided to drive the point further," Brandon always did what he wanted. So did Lya. Ned has always been a dutiful son and is doing his duty. So Benjen you don't get to abandon him because you think you are guilty. Your taking black is not going to help Ned."

Benjen had already lost his will to argue. Artos knew he may still blame himself for what happened. So he deciden to clearly state his opinion on the entire matter," The war never started because of Lya and Rhaegar. The war was brewing mainly due to Mad King's paranoia and his attitude towards great lords. The war started when warden of north and his heir were tortured and burned alive in front of entire court and then he demanded Ned's and King Robert's head to Jon Arryn. Arryn was never going to allow it to happen. Mad King had lost support and respect of Great Lords and he paid for it."

"Yes, Lya should have known better. Perhaps we should have been strict with her. But Rhaegar too, should have known better. His infatuation or dare say his love however twisted it may have been for her cost him his life, his kingdom and his family. He was crown prince and heir to Iron Throne. He was married with kids. We may never know what went through their heads. But they did bring destruction upon westros."

" Ned and Benjen you should realize, the things that are meant to happen will happen whether we want or not. All we can do is learn from past mistakes and never repeat the same mistakes. Now we should decide how to move on from this. Ned you led the northern army for revenge and little more than half has returned. There is old saying, 'Lords fight and common folk die.' What common folk pray for is long summers and shorter winters. "

Ned realized uncle Artos thought that discussions were enough and he thought right. What's done is done. He had to look forward. He had people to lead, family to live for, the North to look after. Ned decided to wrap up discussions," I will look into these books and parchments. If nothing else they will tell me more about past Lords of Winterfell. Ben please reconsider joining Nitchwatch, you will be needed here. If you feel the same after few years then you can take black. I think Cat and I need to talk more about Jon but suffice to say Jon will be raised as my bastard and in these halls."

Artos got up gestured Ben to follow him. It was about time Lord and Lady of Winterfell had a heart to heart discussion. Benjen must have realized the same as he stood up and followed Artos out of Lord's solar.